You must also obtain national certification as a Patient Care Technician. We highly recommend seeking certification through the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

Eligibility requirements to take an NHA certification exam:

Possess a high school diploma or GED

Have completed a training program or have one year work experience in the field

Be at least 18 years of age

Note: The current fee for taking the exam is $149. Check with your PCT training program to see if this is included in your tuition and fees.

Training

Your Patient Care Technician program should fulfill the state’s education requirements to become a Nurse Aide and allow you to sit for the exam. We strongly recommend you confirm this with both your school/program’s administration as well as with the state registry.

North Carolina does not list nurse aides by reciprocity, endorsement, or transfer from other states. To be listed on the N.C. Nurse Aide I Registry, an out-of-state nurse aide must qualify through the basic requirements of a Nurse Aide I listed at the top of this page.

Testing

Pearson VUE is the state-contracted provider of Nurse Aide I competency testing. NACES Plus Foundation, Inc., works with Pearson VUE to schedule and provide tests. Candidates must obtain registration information, apply for and schedule their Nurse Aide I Competency exam by visiting the Pearson VUE website. Candidates can obtain a Nurse Aide I candidate handbook in these ways:

A new competency test is required if a nurse aide does not perform at least 8 hours of qualified work during any 24-month period.

Renewal

A nurse aide may renew through qualified work experience (at least 8 hours) completed during every two years. The qualified work can occur in a nursing home or other health care setting and must meet ALL of the following criteria: